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Congratulations again to our 2009 fellowship class!
Thank you to everyone who applied, nominated a young leader, or helped spread the word. We can’t wait to bring the class together at the National Summit in February.
[ Meet the full class ]
Just six months ago, 2008 fellow Arianna Schindle and several friends launched BEAT Malaria (Burma Empowerment Action Team), her Blueprint for Social Justice project. With help from many supporters, they’ve already provided mosquito nets to about 2,400 internally displaced people and nets, medicine, treatment and tests for an additional 400 villagers.
Members write, “Your support was really amazing to everyone here and we'd like to pass on the gratitude of the medics, our students, and the villagers.”
The number of people involved in BEAT Malaria has been growing, with five new staff members helping with program planning and implementation, marketing, research and fundraising. Next up: An advocacy video, to be released next month.
[ Learn more about BEAT Malaria ]
[ Browse all Blueprints for Social Justice from 2008 ]
Leadership Academy fellows matched with mentors
Fellows have been selecting leaders in the progressive movement to serve as mentors for early career guidance and inspiration.
The mentorship program is a key component of the Leadership Academy, consisting of seven monthly one-hour sessions. During these sessions, the fellow and mentor follow a basic curriculum designed to provide the fellow with insight into and direction in possible future career paths and seek general advice from someone with experience that they admire. Each mentor gets to hear from a young progressive leader about their thoughts and visions for the future — creating a mutually beneficial relationship and strengthening the bonds of the progressive movement.
A few of the matches include:
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Matthew Segal, director of the Student Association for Voting Empowerment, and Marsha Scott, founder of Scott+Yandura Consulting
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Jameelah Muhammad, a fellow working for Teach for America in New York, and Miquela Craytor, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx
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Kevin Killer, newly-elected State Representative in South Dakota District 27, and Robert Cook, president of the National Indian Education Association
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Sable Nelson, a fellow working at the AIDS Alliance, and Diana Bruce, director of health and wellness of the District of Columbia public schools
The mentorships will continue through the remainder of the Leadership Academy.
[ Learn more about the Leadership Academy ]
During his 2006 fellowship, Quentin Hairston completed a Blueprint for Social Justice on education and voting rights. Participating in the internship program at People For the American Way Foundation’s headquarters was a perfect match!
As an intern Quentin worked on a variety of projects, including the African American Ministers Leadership Council, researching right-wing religious organizations, African American churches in California and the No on Proposition 8 campaign, compiling the student portion of the toolkit for election protection work, and working and staffing the Restore My Vote hotline. After his internship, Quentin continued his jobs as residence hall director at Ashland University in Ohio and graduate assistant at the Office for Minority Student Services.
Unfortunately, in November the university had to cut 48 people in response to a budget crisis. Quentin was included in this group and has spent the last few weeks in the job search process. The networks that Quentin has developed through YP4 over the years and the networking and job search skills he has learned have helped him significantly. He states that because of YP4, he has a “Rolodex of people to go to” during his job search.
[ Learn more about the internship program ]
Meet our new steering committee!
Every year, we ask a small number of fellows from all years to serve on our steering committee. Steering committee members are selected based on their level of engagement in the program, their leadership potential, and their activities on campus or in their communities.
Congratulations to the 2009–2010 steering committee: Mazhira Black, Vincent Evans, Amanda Gonzalez, Nicole Iaquinto, Elizabeth Lamoste, Andrew Macurak, Aaron Moreno, Robin Morris, Miguel Del Mundo, Sable Nelson, Kendal Nystedt, Lilly Padia, Jessica Pinto, Jason Richberg, Jakin Vela and Ray Yazzie.
You can always find events on YP4’s site and at the Center for Progressive Leadership.
Fellows from all years can post events on YP4.org.
Want to change policies? Apply for DMI Scholars
Are you a progressive college activist who wants to shape the direction of our country? Learn how to impact the policies that impact you.
DMI Scholars is cultivating the next generation of Chiefs of Staff, Policy Advisors and Legislative Directors to steer our nation in a progressive direction.
DMI Scholars is like Public Policy 101, preparing college students from diverse communities to successfully enter the public policy world. The Summer Institute training will take place in New York City from August 1–15. Applications are due January 24.
[ Learn more and apply today ]
Apply for a Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom training
 The SYRF Regional Training Institute (RTI) is back and better than ever. The Regional Training Institute is a completely free activist and organizing training program taking place in two more cities this season:
Washington, D.C.: February 1–2
Apply by December 22
Austin, TX: March 7–8
Apply by January 30
Each training will feature intensive skills sessions preparing participants to galvanize community support for reproductive justice in a faithful context. Trainings will be led by experts in the fields of organizing, religion, and reproductive justice. Session topics include event planning, communications, theology, personal leadership development, and more. Download a sample schedule (PDF) and see what SYRF has in the works.
Fellows at Florida A&M University host a wildly successful election night watch party, 2008 Leadership Academy fellow Jeremy Bearer-Friend writes about how the trans rights movement is gaining a foothold in traditionally conservative parts of the country, 2007 fellow Kari Fulton challenges the idea that racism is dead now that a black man has been elected to the White House, and more..
[ Read the coverage ]
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As you know, each month we feature one or two fellows who are doing great work on their campuses and in their communities.
This year, more than 100 fellows designed and implemented Blueprints for Social Justice. We’ve provided more than $100,000 in support to fellows working across the country on progressive issues of their choosing.
And what issues they were! Members of the Class of 2008 organized their campuses around issues ranging from voting rights and get-out-the-vote efforts to environmental justice, health care, reproductive choice, international human rights and equal rights.
They strengthened the capacity and sustainability of progressive organizations on campus and collaborated with fellows around the country sharing strategies, tactics and resources. Check out all fellows' Blueprints.
Fellows continue to create meaningful social change on the local, state, nationwide and international level. As fellows continue to implement and evaluate their Blueprints, we will share their successes and lessons learned.
So, from all of us on staff at YP4, congratulations to the entire 2008 fellowship class. You are all featured fellows!
[ Share your thoughts ]
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Giving books for the holidays? Support YP4!
Join Progressive Book Club today with a great introductory offer — 3 books for $3 with membership. Select YP4 as your beneficiary organization when you join, and we’ll receive $2 every time you purchase a club-priced book.
[ Join the Progressive Book Club ]
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Spread the word about your organization, campaign or business.
[ Advertise on the YP4 Blog ]
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E-mail address changing?
Update your contact info so we can keep you in the loop.
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[ Join the conversation ]
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Job opportunities
People For the American Way Foundation is hiring an online production coordinator and has volunteer opportunities, including a library resources manager position. Internships are also available.
Join our team and get college credit! Young People For has several internships available in our New York City office.
The Center for Progressive Leadership is hiring an online technology manager and a director of training in Washington, D.C.
College Summit is hiring for a plethora of mid-level positions.
Democracia USA is hiring a senior communications and marketing director.
Democracy Matters is hiring paid interns. It is possible to hold a YP4 fellowship at the same time as a Democracy Matters internship.
The Movement Strategy Center is hiring two senior associates: one for transformational movement building and one for sector and alliance building.
Work for Progress is recruiting several canvass directors, organizers and field coordinators.
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Policy corner: Giving thanks
“Thanksgiving Day may be over, but I still want to give thanks. Democracy needed your help, and you answered the call.
“Your commitment to progress is inspiring and necessary, and we will certainly need to keep up the hard work in the months and years to come to make sure America lives up to its promise. If what I saw on Election Day is any indication, we are well on our way to filling that promise.”
[ Read more on the blog ]
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Right wing watch on campus
As Jade Ortego, 2008 fellow and Baylor University newspaper writer, reports in this blog entry by 2008 fellow Mazhira Black, some campuses have witnessed a racist backlash against Barack Obama’s election to the White House.
Election Day wasn’t all roses, either: YP4 intern Elisabeth Wilhelm writes about the disenfranchisement of young voters.
[ Share your stories ]
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Watch videos, upload your YP4 pictures and more! YP4’s on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Future 5000... you name it.
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